If you need to dine gluten free in Montreal, then I’ve got some great resources and dining recommendations just for you!
For those of us going to Montreal and not knowing the language (since they are predominantly French-speaking), can be a great source of stress. But it doesn’t have to be.
I found a great resource for restaurant cards that translate how to explain a gluten allergy in many different languages.
I found that since the island is such a great tourist destination (mainly because there are so many fun things to do in Montreal) that the staff in many restaurants were bilingual. So, it wasn’t too difficult to get the information across successfully.
The list below is by no means exhaustive, so if you are looking for more places or restaurants in different areas of Montreal, then I always recommend checking the Find Me Gluten Free app for guidance. It's always been a huge help for me.
Copper Branch
Gluten Free Poutine
Vegan Poutine
Copper Branch is a 100% plant-based (vegan) restaurant. With 6 locations throughout Montreal, you are sure to find at least one (if not more) to add to your Montreal itinerary. If you are like me and have to adhere to a gluten free diet AND a dairy free diet, then you’ve come to the right place. While Copper Branch isn’t fully gluten free, they do have a large selection of gluten free offerings on their menu.
Just because you are gluten free doesn’t mean you can’t still be a travel foodie. I love traveling to new places and trying new food items even with my food intolerances. From eating kangaroo in Australia to reindeer in Alaska, there are some locally popular foods that you shouldn’t miss.
What is Poutine?
Montreal, Canada is known for its poutine. Poutine is a dish of french fries covered in brown gravy with cheese curds on top. Definitely NOT at all friendly to the gluten free or dairy free diet. Luckily, Copper Branch has you covered with a gluten free and plant-based option, so that you could still experience the most popular local dish.
Creperie du Marche
Gluten Free Crepes
Right at the front entrance of the Jean-Talon Market, North America’s largest open air farmer’s market, you’ll find Creperie du Marche. Creperie du Marche has true gluten free crepes (made from buckwheat flour) or sans gluten as is said in French. Here you can choose from breakfast crepes with eggs to desert crepes with chocolate. Now you’ll have to tailor the flavors if you are like me and also have to be conscious of lactose intolerances too. That may mean forgoing the chocolate or leaving off the cheese.
There are plenty of picnic benches under the cover of the Jean-Talon Market entrance to make this a great pit stop on your walk around the market. As you walk through, you can also find lot of other gluten free and dairy free snacks, with all the fresh fruits and vegetables for sale in the market here as well. Colors and flavors that are second to none.
Sesame Restaurant
Located just steps away from the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal, you’ll find Sesame Restaurant. The beautiful and relaxing atmosphere of Sesame Restaurant is second only to the fact that they cater to both a gluten free diet and a vegan diet. Perfect for those of us with multiple dietary intolerances.
Asian cuisine is actually very dairy free friendly and most often the chefs are aware of how to tailor the meals to accommodate gluten free allergies as well. Whether using gluten free soy sauce or using rice or rice noodles. The food here at Sesame restaurant was delicious. Definitely a great stop if you’re in the Old Port of Montreal area on your Montreal vacation.
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash
Cookie Stefanie
100% Gluten Free Dessert
A few doors down from Sesame Restaurant is the super cute and trendy pastry shop of Cookie Stefanie. Cookie Stefanie is a 100% gluten free bakery! Here you can find quick bites, cold drinks, as well as the sweet treats you are looking for like cookies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and muffins. Not only is this bakery 100% gluten free, but you can often find many items that are also made vegan or even nut free.
Photo Courtesy of Cookie Stefanie
Eating gluten free in Montreal has never been easier, you can take your gluten free desert to go or sit and people watch in their quaint shop overlooking the streets of Montreal. If you don’t have time to visit the main shop, then check out the Cookie Stefanie website to find other locations that sell these desserts to go. Java U Cafe in the Montreal airport is one of those locations, so whether you are coming or going, be sure to stop by and grab a gluten free baked treat to go.
Photo Courtesy of Cookie Stefanie
Rachelle Bery
Health Food Store/Bistro
With over 10 locations scattered just throughout the Montreal area (more locations beyond this as well) is the health food store of Rachelle Bery. Comparable to the Whole Foods Market, you’d find here in the United States. During our visit, we stopped in at the Rachelle Béry location in Montreal’s Little Italy. Here we were able to get either hot or cold food to order and sit in their little bistro area inside to dine. We were also able to grab some snacks and fresh fruit before heading out on our next Montreal adventure.
Thai Express
Thai Express was so delicious that both Michael and I wished we had this Thai fast food chain near us in the United States. (While there are a few United States locations now, they just aren’t near us in Florida, unfortunately). As this is a fast food chain, you will find these locations quite frequently on many different street corners throughout Montreal.
Given Thai Express is just that, a fast food chain, there is a risk for cross contamination. Although they do take care to try to accommodate. I didn’t have any issues, and we stopped here a few times to eat. You will have to advise them of your dietary intolerances, but a great place to get food quickly on the go.
Wienstein & Gavino’s
Just a short walk from Concordia University or the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on a street I would consider Restaurant Row is the Italian restaurant of Weinstein and Gavino’s. Now Italian cuisine unfortunately is extremely glutenous, so they indicate the menu as being gluten-sensitive versus gluten-free given the likelihood of cross contamination. At Wienstein & Gavino’s, they are able to substitute gluten free pasta with any of their dishes and use a cauliflower dough for their pizzas. If you are also dairy free this restaurant may not be as good a fit as the others.
Other Honorable Mention
Moxies Grillades Bar
We ate at Moxies Grillades Bar which had multiple locations in Montreal. It appears these locations have permanently closed since our visit. But they do have other locations throughout Canada, so if you find yourself in one of those areas definitely try it. My husband isn’t much of a foodie, but he would’ve eaten there every night of our trip if I let him. That’s how good the food was! Keep it on your list too as they also have a few locations outside of Canada in Florida, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Texas.
